New Jersey Republican Governor Chris Christie will now have to take action regarding the highly publicized gay marriage bill passed Thursday by the New Jersey Assembly.
In recent weeks Mr. Christie has vowed to veto the gay marriage bill if it does reach his desk, and now it will.
If Mr. Christie does veto the bill, both chambers of the New Jersey state legislature would have to override the veto with a majority vote.
The New Jersey governor said that is highly unlikely considering the number of Republicans in the New Jersey state Senate and the NJ Assembly.
Mr. Christie recently proposed placing the issue legalizing gay marriage in New Jersey as a referendum on the general election ballot in the fall.
Washington Governor Chris Gregoire sent a letter to Mr. Christie earlier this month offering to sit down and discuss his opposition to New Jersey becoming the next state where gay marriage gets legalized.
Governor Gregoire signed a bill into law earlier this week legalizing gay marriage in her state.
Mr. Christie has not acknowledged that letter, but has promised “swift action” regarding gay marriage.
Ms. Gregoire seemingly represents the Democratic west coast liberal view of the gay marriage law, while Mr. Christie represents the widespread Republican opposition to legalizing gay marriage.
If he were to sign the bill into law, it would likely reflect badly on Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney, who was endorsed by Mr. Christie back in the fall.
Mr. Romney is already battling critics like former Alaska Governor and Republican kingmaker Sarah Palin, who don’t believe Mr. Romney is “conservative enough.”
Mr. Romney and all of the remaining Republican presidential candidates has stated that they are staunchly opposed to legalizing gay marriage in the U.S.
“Rather than having stalemate and deadlock on this issue, which is inevitably where it will where it will lead if they pass the legislation to send it to me because I will not sign it, it will be vetoed,” said Mr. Christie during a January news conference.
“Lets let the people of New Jersey decide whats right for the state, lets put the question of same sex marriage on the ballot this fall in the hands of the people,” added Mr. Christie.
Mr. Christie will likely announce his action regarding the gay marriage bill next week.
